The popular Steam Train of the Sienese Crete is about to be back after the Winter break. Every year, the itineraries on the train are scheduled in Spring and Autumn, in combination with feasts, markets, food fairs and other important events related to the products and traditions of the Sienese territory.
The first trip of this evocative and old-fashioned mean of transport is planned on Sunday, March 23rd, when the train will leave Siena at 9 a.m., run through the enchanting Val d’Orcia, and reach the nice hamlet of San Giovanni d’Asso for the Festival of the March Truffle. The village is renowned for this irresistible tuber: the exquisite White variety is celebrated in November, while in Spring the attention is devoted to this minor variety. The train will depart from SAn Giovanni d’Asso at 4.30 p.m. and get to Siena at around 17:40.
A month later, on Friday, April 25th (that in Italy is the Public Holiday that celebrates the Liberation Day) the train will depart from Siena at 8:30 a.m., and lead its passengers to the Spring Festival in the wonderful Val d’Orcia: the train will reach the small station of Monte Antico and by private bus the passengers will be then taken to the hamlet of Castiglione d’Orcia, where the Festival will be animated with street markets and artists, tastings of typical products, music and handcrafts. The bus will take the passengers back to the station of Torrenieri, and at 5:10 p.m. the train will depart to reach Siena at around 6:40 p.m.
On the workers day, Thursday, May 1st, the train will depart again from Siena at 9:00 and arrive in the nice village of Sant’Angelo Scalo, in the territory of Montalcino, for the Maggiolata (the May Festival) that celebrates all the flowers of this colourful and scented month. The train will go back to Siena at 4:45 p.m. to end the trip at 6:40 p.m.
On Sunday, May 4th, the train will depart from Fabro, in Umbria, at 9:00 a.m., for an excursion through the most beautiful hills of the Val d’Orcia and a visit to the Maggiolata (May Festival) in Sant’Angelo Scalo. At 4.45 the train will depart and reach Fabro at 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, May 11th the train will depart from Siena at 8:15 a.m. to reach Asciano, the main centre of the splendid area of the Crete Senesi, where the passengers will take part in the Festival dedicated to the tasty and typical pecorino (sheep’s milk) cheeses, while on Sunday, May 18th the old-style train will conclude its Spring programme in Torrenieri, for a Festival of trains.
The Steam Train is not only an old-style experience through a wonderful landscape, but also a way of transport to reach off the beaten centres and villages. The train will make you spend an enchanting day on board an authentic historic train, with a background noise made of whistles, puffs, squeaks and the pumping of the pistons. A great experience for adults, an unforgettable day for children! The return ticket is 32 € (free for children under 10 years). All information about prices and reservations, please contact the Travel Agency “Agenzia Viaggi Visione del Mondo”: e-mail: info@visionedelmondo.com / tel. +39 0577 48003
+39 0577 48003 or the railways company Ferrovia Val d’Orcia: treninvaldorcia@ferrovieturistiche.it / tel. + 39 0577 207413+ 39 0577 207413 / 338 8992577338 8992577
